My FNG story

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Some background. I rode the yellow Gold wing trike with the 1st Cav sticker on the back. I did two tours and I am now 100% disabled. In other words, I am fine as long as I stay on my meds.For me the ride was a reward for not dying. I was hospitalized for 7 months at the Salt Lake City VA last year. I did "flatline" three times. My dear wife told me if I didn't die I could go on this ride.  So after learning to walk again; I had to learn how to ride again. I have ridden motorcycles for over 50 years but when you are "down" you need to get up to speed quickly. Besides the ride was on my bucket list.
I have many issues about my service and reception upon returning to CONUS. The biggest one was the lack of appreciation for our service. This was taken care of on this ride over and over again. I loved the reception in Blythe,Cal. It was awesome! Van Horn, TX. was incredible. The entire ride was an experience that I will always remember.
There are always things that can be complained about. But overall it was a well organized ride that allowed us vets to really experience the full impact of what it was meant to be.
Yeah, I could complain about platoon leaders and roadguards but they did the best job they could do. It still amazed me the way the gas crew got us through so quickly. The advance team that had everything in place when we rolled in. 
Would I do it again? Nope. Too hard on the body. I was early in going on the run but I am glad I did it.
Thanks to all who did the jobs.
Sled

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Sled Members Profile Find Members Posts Newbie Joined: Oct-23-2010 Location: Enoch,Utah Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sled Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: My FNG story Posted: Jun-12-2011 at 8:05pm
	Some background. I rode the yellow Gold wing trike with the 1st Cav sticker on the back. I did two tours and I am now 100% disabled. In other words, I am fine as long as I stay on my meds. For me the ride was a reward for not dying. I was hospitalized for 7 months at the Salt Lake City VA last year. I did "flatline" three times. My dear wife told me if I didn't die I could go on this ride. So after learning to walk again; I had to learn how to ride again. I have ridden motorcycles for over 50 years but when you are "down" you need to get up to speed quickly. Besides the ride was on my bucket list. I have many issues about my service and reception upon returning to CONUS. The biggest one was the lack of appreciation for our service. This was taken care of on this ride over and over again. I loved the reception in Blythe,Cal. It was awesome! Van Horn, TX. was incredible. The entire ride was an experience that I will always remember. There are always things that can be complained about. But overall it was a well organized ride that allowed us vets to really experience the full impact of what it was meant to be. Yeah, I could complain about platoon leaders and roadguards but they did the best job they could do. It still amazed me the way the gas crew got us through so quickly. The advance team that had everything in place when we rolled in. Would I do it again? Nope. Too hard on the body. I was early in going on the run but I am glad I did it. Thanks to all who did the jobs. Sled
	If you have a DD214 you are a vet. Viet Nam Vet 65/66/67 1st. Cav 100% permanent & total

GYPSY Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: Jun-02-2010 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Status: Offline Points: 149	Post Options Post Reply Quote GYPSY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-12-2011 at 8:10pm
	Welcome home, Sled. Thank you for your service from a grateful American.
	Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of All Who Threaten IT Helicopters don't fly, they beat the air into submission

shadow Members Profile Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Senior Member Joined: Feb-20-2010 Location: wv Status: Offline Points: 3472	Post Options Post Reply Quote shadow Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-13-2011 at 4:53am
	WELCOME HOME AND A BIG THANK YOU.
	the Shadow

JW Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: Jan-12-2010 Location: Riverside, CA. Status: Offline Points: 167	Post Options Post Reply Quote JW Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-13-2011 at 7:38am
	Sled- Thank you for your service to our Nation, may the Lord be with you.

Fireball Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: Dec-26-2010 Location: Emporia, Kansas Status: Offline Points: 180	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fireball Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-13-2011 at 8:33am
	Welcome Home brother, and ain't Honda Trikes great!!!!! ran part of the central route, only problem I had was with the hard seat, will be fixed before next RFTW
	"Fireball" KANSAS PATRIOT GUARD M Co.75th Inf Rangers Vietnam69

Raven Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: Sep-30-2009 Location: Bandera, Tx Status: Offline Points: 2519	Post Options Post Reply Quote Raven Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-13-2011 at 12:26pm
	SLED, WELCOME HOME and THANK YOU for your service. I see that you are not going to ride again, an in creditable ride this year based on what you went through. I am thankful that you were able to find some healing from the run. Nothing is perfect and when you get this many bikes and riders together with only about three days to get things together it works pretty well! We do ride for those who can't and I do believe that we also ride for those that need healing and you found some for you. Remember that you are part of the huge family now. Take care!
	IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO SAY WELCOME HOME! Tomorrow Is Promised To No One!

CommoDog Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Member Joined: Mar-12-2011 Status: Offline Points: 249	Post Options Post Reply Quote CommoDog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-13-2011 at 5:58pm
	Sled, Welcome Home and thank you for your service! I am glad that you finally experienced being appreciated for you service. We do ride for those that can't and you will be with me next year.
	Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal.

dano Members Profile Find Members Posts Groupie Joined: Jan-08-2010 Location: wv Status: Offline Points: 75	Post Options Post Reply Quote dano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jun-14-2011 at 8:35pm
	Hey my friend I sure am glad you got to make the ride I too had the same thoughts as you did upon my retrun to the CONUS and never had a good felling until I made my first ride it was short but I made myself a promise to ride all the way and did so in 2010 it is ashame the we had to do this ride before we could start to heal not heal all the way but much much better evenif you cant ride again each year just get in the forum if you need to talkk to someone we will be there for you my friend thanks for your service and all your hurting THANKS DANO

Sled Members Profile Find Members Posts Newbie Joined: Oct-23-2010 Location: Enoch,Utah Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sled Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep-12-2012 at 8:27pm
	Well I said I was not going to do it again. But here I am. Hotel reservations made. Now winter comes. But this time I am spray painting my trike green so I am not the last one to get gas and water and food. Really looking forward to the ride this time. Probably will be more relaxed and enjoyable.
	If you have a DD214 you are a vet. Viet Nam Vet 65/66/67 1st. Cav 100% permanent & total

Dadbo Members Profile Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Senior Member Joined: Nov-10-2009 Location: Lompoc CA Status: Offline Points: 314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dadbo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep-14-2012 at 1:35pm
	You can't keep a good man down! Good on ya Sled!!
	Run for the Wall - CR RG SoCal PGR - Ride Captain American Legion Rider, Chapter 56 - RC Green Knights, Chapter 39 - former RC GWRRA (CA1Y inact) Rolling Thunder Eagles UP US Air Force (SAC) Retired